ancillary work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ancillary work" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to supplementary or additional tasks that support a primary activity or job. Example: "In addition to her main responsibilities, she also takes on ancillary work to help the team meet its goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

"The purpose," Ms. Shelley said, "is to give the musicians ancillary work.

The New York Times

Given the amount of unseen ancillary work done by companies such as Garsington, Grange Park and Holland Park Opera – not least in nurturing young singers – let's welcome this newcomer.

The Guardian - Music

It probably can work up to a point, and the question is will they do the ancillary work (i.e., make load balancing work without emissions or leakage) to result in a reliable, truly emission-free electricity system.

The New York Times

Until 1941, however, much of the ancillary work (e.g., landscaping and stonework) also was done by members of the Works Progress Administration (WPA), Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), and other New Deal agencies, with some of that activity being continued by conscientious objectors during World War II.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That is partly because M&A leads to more ancillary work than it used to: with debt so ubiquitous, merging companies want loans, bonds and more complex structured finance on top of any advice they receive.In one way the current wave has already turned nasty: there has been a proliferation of unsolicited bids.

The Economist

The Saudi monarchy has slimmed the company's workforce, brought in professional managers, contracted out ancillary work and formed alliances with international companies.The world is their oysterMore generally, national energy companies are no longer content just to sit at home and pump the oil or gas.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Also associated with the Vedas are ancillary works referred to as the six Vedāṅgas ("Limbs of the Veda").

Encyclopedia Britannica

Its construction was hindered by delays, however, and the plant operated below capacity for many years because of lack of financing to complete the ancillary works.

Encyclopedia Britannica

His tributes have a wonderful gaucherie, but the real revelations here — as paintings and as human drama — are eight smaller, ancillary works featuring British Redcoats.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Landers's recreations have a wonderful gaucherie, but the real revelations here — as paintings and as human drama — are eight smaller, ancillary works that feature British Redcoats, in which nature, women and death enter the picture and are expressed on a wonderful, shimmering, slurry surface.

The New York Times - Arts

The excavations for the construction of rolling tanks and ancillary works require the movement of large quantities of land for which a balance has been made between the land to be reused in the arrangement of slopes, embankments, artifacts and landscaping items and the land to be disposed in landfills.

City, Territory and Architecture

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ancillary work", ensure the context clearly identifies the primary task it supports to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "ancillary work" to describe tasks that are central to a project; reserve it for genuinely supplementary activities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ancillary work" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It identifies supplementary or supportive tasks that are related to a primary activity. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ancillary work" refers to supplementary tasks that support a primary activity. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in various contexts. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Science domains and has a neutral register, fitting both professional and academic settings. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the primary task it supports. Alternatives include "supplemental work" or "supporting tasks". Keep in mind that "ancillary work" should not describe main responsibilities but rather genuinely supplementary ones.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

supplemental work

Focuses on the idea of adding to or completing something; highlights the supportive nature of the work.

subsidiary work

Emphasizes the secondary or subordinate nature of the work.

supporting tasks

Highlights the action of providing assistance or support to a main task.

auxiliary activities

Uses a more formal term for assistance, emphasizing the helping nature.

associated tasks

Focuses on the connection or relationship to a primary task.

related duties

Indicates tasks that are connected to a larger job or responsibility.

additional responsibilities

Highlights the extra duties beyond the main job description.

collateral duties

Stresses the indirect or side responsibilities involved.

secondary functions

Indicates a lower level of importance compared to primary functions.

complementary tasks

Focuses on how the tasks enhance or complete the primary work.

FAQs

How to use "ancillary work" in a sentence?

"Ancillary work" refers to supplementary tasks that support a primary activity. For example: "The project manager delegated the "supporting tasks", including documentation and reporting, as "ancillary work".

What can I say instead of "ancillary work"?

You can use alternatives like "supplemental work", "subsidiary work", or "supporting tasks" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "ancillary work" and "additional work"?

"Ancillary work" specifically implies supportive or secondary tasks, while "additional work" simply means extra tasks, which may or may not be directly related to the primary function.

Is "ancillary work" formal or informal?

"Ancillary work" is suitable for both professional and academic contexts. It is a relatively neutral term that clearly conveys the idea of supplementary tasks.